MEET A DOCTOR: Holbrook doctor tries new way to provide health care

Tuesday

Jun 19, 2018 at 8:36 AMJun 19, 2018 at 8:36 AM

Dr. Michael Tremblay, D.O., has been practicing traditional medicine in Holbrook since 1990, but wanted to spend more than just 5 to 10 minutes with each patient. In October 2017, he started Action Direct Care, a direct primary care practice, at the same location. For a monthly fee, he offers virtually all in-office primary care needs, while spending up to an hour with each patient now, he said. Dr. Tremblay provides same day visits and communicates any time with text, email or phone calls. He doesn't bill insurance, so this is a direct relationship between his office and the patients. In addition to traditional medicine, the office provides yoga, meditation, nutritional cooking classes and additional services that are included in the membership.

The paper asked him the following questions:

Why did you start direct care?

I started action direct care because I was unable to spend the time I wanted with my patients. I was spending most of my time doing documentation for the insurance companies that had little or nothing to do with patient care.

What problems did you have with a traditional practice?

In traditional medical practice, t0 cover my overhead and make a living, I had a patient panel of almost 3,000 and was seeing 20-30 patients a day, spending an average of less than 10 minutes per patient. I was dreading going to work every day. Now I see about five patients a day for up to an hour each and I smile a lot.

How is this different from a concierge practice?

Direct Primary care is a direct contract between the provider and the patient, eliminating the insurance from the relationship. For a modest monthly fee we provide same day visits, up to 20 visits a year, texting, e-mails, and phone calls, day or night. Unlike concierge medicine which can cost thousands of dollars a year (and they still bill your insurance) we do not bill insurance so there are no copayments and the fee covers almost everything we do in the office.

Do you think this will be a growing trend in medical practices?

There seems to be a gradual trend towards more doctors doing direct primary care as the current health care model is deeply flawed and unsustainable.

What has been your patents' reactions?

My patients who have followed me from the traditional model are thrilled by the availability and the flexibility of the new model. Many who have left say they already pay for health insurance so why should they pay me as well. I tell them they are paying for insurance and what I am providing is Heath Care.

What are the fees?

Our fees are age based but average around $80 a month. We have discounts for couples, families, veterans, and first responders. First visit is complimentary.